Joplin tornado: One year later

The Associated Press

Updated 11:01 am, Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 28, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, showing progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people. In the top photo, Patrick O'Banion salvages items from his devastated home in a neighborhood now mostly cleared of debris. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 28, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, showing progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 27, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 27, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 27, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people. In the top photo, Jim Goff carries salvaged items to his car as he helps a friend retrieve items from a destroyed home in a neighborhood now mostly cleared of debris. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 27, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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This three-photo combo taken with a fisheye lens shows a scene taken on May 25, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people. In the top photo, David Turner, from Waco, Tex., sorts through belongings in a house occupied by his two sisters in a neighborhood now mostly cleared of debris. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

This three-photo combo taken with a fisheye lens shows a scene taken on May 25, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 25, 2011, top, July 20, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people. In the top photo, Beverly Winans hugs her daughter Debbie Surlin while salvaging items from Winans' devastated home which today stands cleared of debris. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 25, 2011, top, July 20, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 23, 2011, top, July 20, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people. In the top photo, Laura Vanzant looks for her dog at her home that was destroyed by the tornado and is today cleared of debris. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 23, 2011, top, July 20, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 23, 2011, top, July 20, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people. In the top photo, Laura Vanzant looks for her dog at her home that was destroyed by the tornado and is today cleared of debris. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 23, 2011, top, July 20, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 23, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 23, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 23, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people. In the top photo, Don Atteberry, 89, surveys damage at his home that was severely damaged by the tornado and is today cleared with just a sign as a reminder of the past residents. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 23, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 23, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people. In the top photo, Anita Stokes salvages items from her home which today stands cleared of much of the tornado debris. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

This three-photo combo shows a scene taken on May 23, 2011, top, July 21, 2011, center, and May 7, 2012, bottom, shows progress made in Joplin, Mo. in the year after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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** FILE ** In this May 24, 2011 file photo, the damaged Joplin High School is seen in Joplin, Mo. A year after the school and much of the rest of Joplin was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado on graduation day, the community is preparing to graduate the class of 2012 who finished their high school education in a converted big-box store at a mall across town. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) less

** FILE ** In this May 24, 2011 file photo, the damaged Joplin High School is seen in Joplin, Mo. A year after the school and much of the rest of Joplin was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado on graduation day, the ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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In this May 28, 2011 photo, damaged electrical transformers line a sidewalk in a devastated Joplin, Mo., neighborhood. Dioxins from leaking transformers are just one of the environmental concerns officials have as cleanup continues after an EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city May 22, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 120 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

In this May 28, 2011 photo, damaged electrical transformers line a sidewalk in a devastated Joplin, Mo., neighborhood. Dioxins from leaking transformers are just one of the environmental concerns officials have ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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Damage is seen in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Wednesday, May 25, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 156 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

Damage is seen in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Wednesday, May 25, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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Damage is seen in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Thursday, May 26, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 156 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

Damage is seen in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Thursday, May 26, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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Damage is seen in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Saturday, May 28, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 156 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

Damage is seen in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Saturday, May 28, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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Damage is seen in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Monday, May 30, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 156 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

Damage is seen in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Monday, May 30, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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Damage is seen at St. John's Regional Medical Center in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Monday, May 30, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 156 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

Damage is seen at St. John's Regional Medical Center in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Monday, May 30, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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Damage is seen in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Sunday, May 29, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 156 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

Damage is seen in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Sunday, May 29, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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Searchers comb debris for missing tornado victims in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Monday, May 30, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city May 22, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 139 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

Searchers comb debris for missing tornado victims in a devastated Joplin, Mo. neighborhood Monday, May 30, 2011. An EF-5 tornado tore through much of the city May 22, damaging a hospital and hundreds of homes ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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Wheelchairs sit outside the Greenbriar Nursing Home Tuesday, June 14, 2011 in Joplin, Mo. Eleven people died in the home which was destroyed by an EF5 tornado that wiped out much of the community last month. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

Wheelchairs sit outside the Greenbriar Nursing Home Tuesday, June 14, 2011 in Joplin, Mo. Eleven people died in the home which was destroyed by an EF5 tornado that wiped out much of the community last month. ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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A bathtub lies among Tornado debris in Joplin, Mo., Monday, May 23, 2011. A large tornado moved through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital, hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 156 people. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

A bathtub lies among Tornado debris in Joplin, Mo., Monday, May 23, 2011. A large tornado moved through much of the city Sunday, damaging a hospital, hundreds of homes and businesses and killing at least 156 ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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A cross memorializes a tornado victim while workers remove debris at the ruins of a church Tuesday, June 14, 2011 in Joplin, Mo. The death toll stands at 153 three weeks after an EF5 tornado wiped out much of the city. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

A cross memorializes a tornado victim while workers remove debris at the ruins of a church Tuesday, June 14, 2011 in Joplin, Mo. The death toll stands at 153 three weeks after an EF5 tornado wiped out much of ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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A street sign lays next to a tornado-damaged home in Joplin, Mo., Sunday, May 29, 2011. At least 142 people were killed and hundreds more injured when a tornado cut a destructive path through Joplin one week earlier. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) less

A street sign lays next to a tornado-damaged home in Joplin, Mo., Sunday, May 29, 2011. At least 142 people were killed and hundreds more injured when a tornado cut a destructive path through Joplin one week ... more

Photo: Mark Schiefelbein, FRE

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FILE-In this May 23, 2011 file photo, a mangled street sign stands among tornado debris in Joplin, Mo. City infrastructure including manhole covers and fire hydrants are among the $500 million in taxpayer assistance provided after an EF-5 tornado ripped through Joplin nearly a year ago,becoming the costliest tornado on record. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) less

FILE-In this May 23, 2011 file photo, a mangled street sign stands among tornado debris in Joplin, Mo. City infrastructure including manhole covers and fire hydrants are among the $500 million in taxpayer ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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FILE - In this April 23, 2008 file photo, houses in various stages of construction dot the landscape in Greensburg, Kan., nearly a year after a F5 tornado destroyed most of the community of 1,400 on May 4, 2007. Less than a week after one of the nation's deadliest tornadoes wiped a big chunk of Joplin, Missouri off the map, the city is beginning to shift its focus toward the next challenge: rising from the ruins. Not far from Joplin, Greensburg, Kan., rebuilt piece by piece after a 2007 twister leveled the town and killed 11.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

FILE - In this April 23, 2008 file photo, houses in various stages of construction dot the landscape in Greensburg, Kan., nearly a year after a F5 tornado destroyed most of the community of 1,400 on May 4, ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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This image provided by the Joplin, Mo. convention and visitors bureau shows a map of the route of the tornado that struck the city on May 22, 2011. When the convention and visitors bureau recently discussed offering guided bus tours and even a smartphone app, storm victims bristled, imagining that their shattered homes could be put on display for legions of curious sightseers. But the bureau director says he wants to promote Joplin's recovery to outsiders, insisting that the effort is "not about busted-up homes or destroyed cars or body parts." (AP Photo/Joplin Convention And Visitors Bureau via The Joplin Globe) less

This image provided by the Joplin, Mo. convention and visitors bureau shows a map of the route of the tornado that struck the city on May 22, 2011. When the convention and visitors bureau recently discussed ... more

Photo: Anonymous, HOEP

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Dude Pendergraft stands in what is left of his shop, Dude's Daylight Donuts, following Sunday's devastating tornado in Joplin, Mo., May 26, 2011. The tornado killed at least 139 people, the young and the old, according to the latest count from city officials, and dozens more remain missing. (Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times) less

Dude Pendergraft stands in what is left of his shop, Dude's Daylight Donuts, following Sunday's devastating tornado in Joplin, Mo., May 26, 2011. The tornado killed at least 139 people, the young and the old, ... more

Photo: NICOLE BENGIVENO, STF

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JOPLIN, MO - MAY 28: Shanie Spencer salvages what she can from what remains of her house on May 28, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. After the town was hit by a massive tornado that killed at least 142 people, denizens continue the process of recovering from the storm. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) less

JOPLIN, MO - MAY 28: Shanie Spencer salvages what she can from what remains of her house on May 28, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. After the town was hit by a massive tornado that killed at least 142 people, ... more

Photo: Joe Raedle, Staff

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JOPLIN, MO - MAY 24: Christal Comstock sits outside her family home which was destroyed when a massive tornado passed through the town killing at least 116 people May 24, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. The tornado that ripped through the town of about 50,000 people May 22, is being called the deadliest single tornado in the U.S. in 60 years. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) less

JOPLIN, MO - MAY 24: Christal Comstock sits outside her family home which was destroyed when a massive tornado passed through the town killing at least 116 people May 24, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. The tornado ... more

Photo: Mario Tama, Staff

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JOPLIN, MO - MAY 29: Katlyn Wilkins (in tree) and Andrea Wilkins Morelli work on securing an American flag in a tree as they deal with the destruction caused by a massive tornado that passed through the town killing at least 139 people on May 29, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit the town as it continues the process of recovering from the storm. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) less

JOPLIN, MO - MAY 29: Katlyn Wilkins (in tree) and Andrea Wilkins Morelli work on securing an American flag in a tree as they deal with the destruction caused by a massive tornado that passed through the town ... more

Photo: Joe Raedle, Staff

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Tim Bartow at his damaged home, filled with messages written by volunteers, in Joplin, Mo., Dec. 20, 2011. Officials in Joplin are contemplating what to do with Bartow's home, which was filled with messages handwritten by volunteers who flooded the community after the deadly tornado last spring. (Steve Hebert/The New York Times) less

Tim Bartow at his damaged home, filled with messages written by volunteers, in Joplin, Mo., Dec. 20, 2011. Officials in Joplin are contemplating what to do with Bartow's home, which was filled with messages ... more

Photo: STEVE HEBERT, STR

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FILE - In this May 24, 2011 file photo, the path of a powerful tornado is seen in Joplin, Mo. A new documentary film pays tribute to The Joplin Globe's coverage of a deadly May 2011 tornado while newspaper employees faced the same struggles as the battered community's residents. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) less

FILE - In this May 24, 2011 file photo, the path of a powerful tornado is seen in Joplin, Mo. A new documentary film pays tribute to The Joplin Globe's coverage of a deadly May 2011 tornado while newspaper ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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FILE - In this May 25, 2011 file photo, Shirley Waits sits outside her mother's home and waits for an insurance adjuster to arrive, in Joplin , Mo., after a massive tornado moved through Joplin three days earlier, leveling much of the city. The tornado that tore through Joplin a year ago already ranks as the deadliest twister in six decades. Now it carries another distinction _ the costliest since at least 1950. Insurance policies are expected to cover most of the $2.8 billion in damage. But records obtained by The Associated Press show taxpayers could supply $500 million. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) less

FILE - In this May 25, 2011 file photo, Shirley Waits sits outside her mother's home and waits for an insurance adjuster to arrive, in Joplin , Mo., after a massive tornado moved through Joplin three days ... more

Photo: Jeff Roberson, STF

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FILE- In this July 21, 2011 file photo, a worker walks among a pile of debris at a landfill in Galena, Kan., where some of the 2 million cubic yards of tornado debris have been hauled from nearby Joplin, Mo. Debris cleanup accounted for about one-fifth of the $500 million in tax dollars spent after an EF-5 tornado destroyed a large swath of Joplin last year. The tornado that tore through Joplin a year ago and already ranks as the deadliest twister in six decades, now is considered the costliest since at least 1950. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) less

FILE- In this July 21, 2011 file photo, a worker walks among a pile of debris at a landfill in Galena, Kan., where some of the 2 million cubic yards of tornado debris have been hauled from nearby Joplin, Mo. ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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FILE-In this May 23, 2011 file photo, a mangled street sign stands among tornado debris in Joplin, Mo. City infrastructure including manhole covers and fire hydrants are among the $500 million in taxpayer assistance provided after an EF-5 tornado ripped through Joplin nearly a year ago,becoming the costliest tornado on record. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) less

FILE-In this May 23, 2011 file photo, a mangled street sign stands among tornado debris in Joplin, Mo. City infrastructure including manhole covers and fire hydrants are among the $500 million in taxpayer ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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FILE-In this June 14, 2011 file photo, rescued dogs sit in their kennels at a shelter in Joplin, Mo. after surviving an EF-5 tornado that ripped though the city three weeks earlier. Shelter and care for more than 1,300 pets left homeless by the twister accounted for $371,857 of the $500 million in taxpayer assistance provided after the costliest tornado on record. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) less

FILE-In this June 14, 2011 file photo, rescued dogs sit in their kennels at a shelter in Joplin, Mo. after surviving an EF-5 tornado that ripped though the city three weeks earlier. Shelter and care for more ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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In this photo taken Monday, May 7, 2012, Mark Norton pauses at the Webb City, Mo., grave of his son Will Norton, who died a year ago when he was sucked out of his car on the way home from his high school graduation by an EF-5 tornado that tore through Joplin, Mo., nearly a year ago. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

In this photo taken Monday, May 7, 2012, Mark Norton pauses at the Webb City, Mo., grave of his son Will Norton, who died a year ago when he was sucked out of his car on the way home from his high school ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, the ruins of the former St. John's Regional Medical center stands in Joplin, Mo. Destroyed by an EF-5 tornado nearly a year ago, the hospital is in its third temporary facility while construction continues on a new replacement a couple miles to the south. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, the ruins of the former St. John's Regional Medical center stands in Joplin, Mo. Destroyed by an EF-5 tornado nearly a year ago, the hospital is in its third temporary ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, groundwork is done for the new Mercy Hospital Joplin a couple miles south of the former St. John's Regional Medical center it replaces in Joplin, Mo. Destroyed by an EF-5 tornado nearly a year ago, the hospital is in its third temporary facility while construction continues on the new building. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, groundwork is done for the new Mercy Hospital Joplin a couple miles south of the former St. John's Regional Medical center it replaces in Joplin, Mo. Destroyed by an ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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In this photo taken May 8, 2012, Maggie Ward, 7, plays in a monument to volunteers at a Joplin, Mo., park across the street from the former St. John's Regional Medical center. The park and hospital were both destroyed after an EF-5 tornado tore through a large swath of the city nearly a year ago. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

In this photo taken May 8, 2012, Maggie Ward, 7, plays in a monument to volunteers at a Joplin, Mo., park across the street from the former St. John's Regional Medical center. The park and hospital were both ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, a new home rises among ruins of others in a Joplin, Mo., neighborhood which was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado nearly a year ago. Reconstruction continues in the community as the anniversary of the costliest tornado on record approaches on May, 22. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, a new home rises among ruins of others in a Joplin, Mo., neighborhood which was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado nearly a year ago. Reconstruction continues in the ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, a tattered flag shows a years worth of wear as it hangs from the remains of a destroyed home in Joplin, Mo. Reconstruction continues in the community as the anniversary of an EF-5 tornado that destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people approaches on May, 22. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, a tattered flag shows a years worth of wear as it hangs from the remains of a destroyed home in Joplin, Mo. Reconstruction continues in the community as the anniversary ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

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In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, Hollyhocks grow in an abandoned garden at a destroyed home in Joplin, Mo. Reconstruction continues in the community as the anniversary of an EF-5 tornado that destroyed a large swath of the city and killed 161 people approaches on May, 22. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) less

In this photo taken Tuesday, May 8, 2012, Hollyhocks grow in an abandoned garden at a destroyed home in Joplin, Mo. Reconstruction continues in the community as the anniversary of an EF-5 tornado that destroyed ... more

Photo: Charlie Riedel, STF

Joplin tornado: One year later

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On May 22, 2011, Joplin, Missouri was devastated by a tornado reaching more than one mile in width. See photos of the rebuilding process, as well as photos from after the storm.